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Van Camp N, Lase IS, De Meester S, Hoozée S, Ragaert K. Exposing the pitfalls of plastics mechanical recycling through cost calculation. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 189:300-313. [PMID: 39226844 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
The plastic industry needs to match the recycling goals set by the EU. Next to technological hurdles, the cost of plastics mechanical recycling is an important modality in this transition. This paper reveals how business economic cost calculation can expose significant pitfalls in the recycling process, by unravelling limitations and boundary conditions, such as scale. By combining the business economic methodology with a Material Flow Analysis, this paper shows the influence of mass retention of products, the capacity of the processing lines, scaling of input capacity, and waste composition on the recycling process and associated costs. Two cases were investigated: (i) the Initial Sorting in a medium size Material Recovery Facility and (ii) an improved mechanical recycling process for flexibles - known as the Quality Recycling Process - consisting of Additional Sorting and Improved Recycling. Assessing the whole recycling chain gives a more holistic insight into the influences of choices and operating parameters on subsequent costs in other parts of the chain and results in a more accurate cost of recycled plastic products. This research concluded that the cost of Initial Sorting of flexibles is 110,08-122,53 EUR/t, while the cost of subsequent Additional Sorting and Improved Recycling ranges from 566,26 EUR/t for rPE Flex to 735,47 EUR/t for rPP Film, these insights can be used to determine a fair price for plastic products. For the Quality Recycling Process it was shown that rationalisation according to the identified pitfalls can reduce the cost per tonne of product by 15-26%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Van Camp
- Department of Accounting, Corporate Finance and Taxation, Ghent University, Belgium; Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Irdanto Saputra Lase
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Belgium; Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Steven De Meester
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Belgium; Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie Hoozée
- Department of Accounting, Corporate Finance and Taxation, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Kim Ragaert
- Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
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2
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Mhaddolkar N, Tischberger-Aldrian A, Astrup TF, Vollprecht D. Consumers confused 'Where to dispose biodegradable plastics?': A study of three waste streams. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024; 42:776-787. [PMID: 38449106 PMCID: PMC11373150 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241231408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Biodegradable plastics, either fossil- or biobased, are often promoted due to their biodegradability and acclaimed environmental friendliness. However, as demonstrated by previous literature, considerable confusion exists about the appropriate source separation and waste management of these plastics. Present study investigated this confusion based on manual sorting analyses of waste sampled from packaging waste (P), biowaste (B) and residual waste (R) in an urban area of Austria. The results were evaluated relative to near-infrared sensor-based sorting trials conducted in a German urban area. Although existing literature has focused on waste composition analyses (mostly in stand-alone studies) of the three waste streams, the present study focused on identifying the specific types of biodegradable plastic items found in each of these streams. Supermarket carrier bags (P = 90, B = 14, R = 33) and dustbin bags (P = 2, B = 46, R = 6) were found in all three waste streams in the Austrian urban area. Similarly, in the German urban area dustbin bags (P = 1, B = 106, R = 3) were the common items. The results indicate that certain bioplastic items were present in more than one bin; thus, hinting that consumers are not necessarily aware of how-to source-separate the biodegradable plastics. This suggests that neither consumers nor current waste management systems are fully 'adapted' to bioplastics, and the management of these plastics' waste is currently not optimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Mhaddolkar
- Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management (AVAW), Montanuniversität Leoben, Leoben, Austria
- DTU SUSTAIN, Department of Environmental Engineering, Danish Technical University, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alexia Tischberger-Aldrian
- Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management (AVAW), Montanuniversität Leoben, Leoben, Austria
| | - Thomas Fruergaard Astrup
- DTU SUSTAIN, Department of Environmental Engineering, Danish Technical University, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Daniel Vollprecht
- Resource and Chemical Engineering, Augsburg University, Augsburg, Germany
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3
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Geier J, Bredács M, Witschnigg A, Vollprecht D, Oreski G. Analysis of different polypropylene waste bales: Evaluation of the source material for PP recycling. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024; 42:767-775. [PMID: 38318839 PMCID: PMC11373154 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241227369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The use of the polypropylene (PP) recyclates in certain processing methods and applications is still limited by their quality. The high melt flow rate (MFR) and the inconsistent properties of recyclates are common obstacles to their use. Therefore, this work aims to identify possible reasons for the low and inconsistent quality of PP recyclates depending on the source material in PP waste bales. The levels of polymeric and non-polymeric contaminants were assessed. As mixing of different PP grades is an issue for the MFR, the proportions of the different processing grades were also investigated and the potential of sorting by processing method to produce lower MFR recyclates was assessed. The analysis showed that the waste bales, although pre-sorted, still contained high amounts of contaminants. Injection moulding was found to be the predominant processing method in the bales, explaining the high MFR of PP recyclates. However, a sufficiently high amount of low MFR products was found in the bales, which seems promising for the production of low MFR recyclates. Seasonal variations in the composition of the waste bales were identified as one of the reasons for the inconsistent qualities of recyclates. These results highlight the importance of proper sorting and treatment of PP waste bales prior to reprocessing in order to obtain high-quality recycled products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Geier
- Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH, Leoben, Austria
- Chair of Materials Science and Testing of Polymers, University of Leoben, Leoben, Austria
| | | | | | - Daniel Vollprecht
- Chair of Resource and Chemical Engineering, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Gernot Oreski
- Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH, Leoben, Austria
- Chair of Materials Science and Testing of Polymers, University of Leoben, Leoben, Austria
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4
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Okonye LU, Ren J. A comprehensive review of PETW recycling for supercapacitor applications. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35285. [PMID: 39170277 PMCID: PMC11336431 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The rising measure of waste produced from polyethene terephthalate (PET) and the interest in eco-accommodating energy storage arrangements have prompted escalated examination into reusing waste PET into supercapacitors. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements in the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate waste (PETW), as a supercapacitor electrode precursor. The review looks at different methodologies for recovering PET from waste, including mechanical, chemical, enzyme, etc. It further explores the combination strategies for electrode materials produced using PET. Besides, PET-derived materials' electrochemical performance in supercapacitor application is likewise broken down, with an emphasis on key electrochemical boundaries like capacitive behaviour, cyclic stability, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The need for scalable and cost-effective recycling methods, the creation of eco-friendly electrolytes, and the improvement of the electrochemical performance of recycled PET-based supercapacitors are just a few of the issues and opportunities highlighted in this expanding eco-friendly industry. Overall, the goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cutting-edge developments in the use of recycled PETW as a precursor for supercapacitor electrodes, highlighting the eco-friendly energy storage solution's potential and contributing to a sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard U. Okonye
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Cnr Kingsway and University Roads, Auckland Park, 2092, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jianwei Ren
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Cnr Lynwood Road and Roper Street, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
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5
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Langwieser J, Fischer J. Investigation of the Impact of Single and Double Filtration Systems on Post-Consumer PE Film Waste. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2238. [PMID: 39204458 PMCID: PMC11360198 DOI: 10.3390/polym16162238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the diversity of plastic film waste streams available on the market and the associated variety of contaminants' size and number, the use of melt filtration is necessary. Currently, single and double filtration systems are state of the art in the plastic recycling industry, depending on the application of the produced post-consumer recyclate (PCR). Using PCR for thin films demands small contamination sizes, which are easier to reach using a second filtration step. In the case of relatively clean post-consumer input materials, it must be investigated whether the additional load from the second filter has a counterproductive effect on the material and whether single filtration would be sufficient. For this paper, polyethylene (PE) film waste stemming from a separate post-consumer collection in Austria was processed using an industrial-sized recycling machine with different combinations of filter sizes and systems. Melt flow rate (MFR), ash content, oxidation onset temperature (OOT), and optical contaminant detection were measured to investigate the influence of single and double filtration systems. The investigation showed that, even though the contamination amount and size were reduced, the second filter had a distinct effect on specific properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Langwieser
- Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
- Competence Center CHASE GmbH, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Joerg Fischer
- Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
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Lisiecki M, Belé TGA, Ügdüler S, Fiorio R, Astrup TF, De Meester S, Ragaert K. Mechanical recycling of printed flexible plastic packaging: The role of binders and pigments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134375. [PMID: 38691991 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), extensively employed in flexible plastic packaging, often undergoes printing with inks. However, during the mechanical recycling of post-consumer waste, these inks act as contaminants, subsequently compromising the quality and usability of recycled material. To understand better exactly which ink components cause which effects, this study comprehensively assesses the thermal behavior of three organic pigments and two commonly utilised binders, correlated with the impact on the mechanical recycling of LDPE-based flexible plastic packaging. In this regard, the study focuses on four pivotal factors: processability, mechanical properties, aesthetic attributes, and volatile organic compound profiles. The results indicate that nitrocellulose, used as a binder, degrades during reprocessing, resulting in film discoloration and the emission of potentially odorous compounds. Conversely, pigments are found to be dispersed within droplets of polyurethane binder in LDPE recyclates, whilst reprocessing printed samples detrimentally affects film properties, notably dart drop impact resistance, strain at break, and the number of inclusions. Additionally, it is shown that both inks comprise components that emit volatile compounds during reprocessing: non-thermally stable components, nitrocellulose and pigment yellow PY13, as well as low-molecular weight molecules from polyurethane and by-products from wax, plasticisers, and additives.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lisiecki
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark; Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Tiago G A Belé
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Henkestraße 9, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Graaf Karel De Goedelaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - S Ügdüler
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Graaf Karel De Goedelaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - R Fiorio
- Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - T F Astrup
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark; Ramboll, Hannemanns Allé 53, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S De Meester
- Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Graaf Karel De Goedelaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - K Ragaert
- Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Monegro R, Graham SR, Steele J, Robertson ML, Henderson JA. Hands-On Activity Illustrating the Sorting Process of Recycled Waste and Its Role in Promoting Sustainable Solutions. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION 2024; 101:1899-1904. [PMID: 38764940 PMCID: PMC11097386 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Effective recycling is not merely a matter of collecting waste; it also requires meticulous categorization to maximize the potential for reusing material and minimizing waste sent to landfills. Education and awareness of the sorting and recycling process bottlenecks need to be emphasized and extended beyond higher educational contexts (e.g., in multiple stages of educational pathways, such as middle or high school). Hence, this project introduces a hands-on plastic sorting activity where students use recycled waste to be sorted based on their physical properties. Several tools were provided to perform the separation, such as water, sieves, magnets, and manual/visual separation while considering the time and cost associated with each tool. The activity was evaluated by pre- and post-evaluations based on Likert-scale and open-ended questions grouped in several categories related to the sorting process. In several categories, we observed that the activity enhanced student knowledge (e.g., general sorting understanding), while in other categories, there was no growth. From open-ended questions, students expressed an understanding of how to sort recycled waste and an appreciation for the trade-offs in developing sorting solutions. This activity effectively enhanced students' awareness of the sorting process of recycled waste. It lays the foundation for future inquiry and outreach project design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronard
Herrera Monegro
- William
A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Savannah R. Graham
- William
A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Jaiah Steele
- Texas
A&M College of Engineering, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Megan L. Robertson
- William
A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Jerrod A. Henderson
- William
A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
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8
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Zong Y, Yao P, Zhang X, Wang J, Song X, Zhao J, Wang Z, Zheng Y. Material flow analysis on the critical resources from spent power lithium-ion batteries under the framework of China's recycling policies. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 171:463-472. [PMID: 37801873 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid growth of electric vehicles in China, the number of spent power lithium-ion batteries is dramatically increased. Considering the environmental risk, security risk, and potential resource value, China has issued a series of laws and regulations to manage the spent power lithium-ion batteries. This work employs the material flow analysis method to evaluate the material flows of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn during the life cycle of power lithium-ion batteries under the framework of China's recycling policy system. The results show that the demand for primary Li, Ni, Co, and Mn can achieve 26.9, 68.1, 20.4, and 21.9 kt in 2021, and a lot of primary critical resources will inburst the in-use stage. Moreover, the number of secondary Li, Ni, Co, and Mn can achieve 6.1, 15.4, 4.6, and 5 kt in 2021, accounting for 22.7%, 22.6%, 22.5%, and 22.8% of their corresponding demand. Based on the economic evaluation under the framework of China's recycling policy system, it is found that the potential recycling values of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn are approximately 966, 523, 414, and 43 million RMB yuan, which are 66.4%, 71%, 59.6%, and 66.4% higher than those in the absence of China's recycling policy system. It is implied that China's recycling policy system could markedly improve the collection rate by reducing losses and indirectly enhancing the recycling and reuse of spent power lithium-ion batteries. This work is expected to provide guidance for policymakers to improve the management of spent power lithium-ion batteries in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Zong
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China
| | - Peifan Yao
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China; School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xihua Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China.
| | - Jie Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Xiaolong Song
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zhaolong Wang
- Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100029, China
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9
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Abbas-Abadi MS, Kusenberg M, Zayoud A, Roosen M, Vermeire F, Madanikashani S, Kuzmanović M, Parvizi B, Kresovic U, De Meester S, Van Geem KM. Thermal pyrolysis of waste versus virgin polyolefin feedstocks: The role of pressure, temperature and waste composition. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 165:108-118. [PMID: 37119685 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Due to the complexity and diversity of polyolefinic plastic waste streams and the inherent non-selective nature of the pyrolysis chemistry, the chemical decomposition of plastic waste is still not fully understood. Accurate data of feedstock and products that also consider impurities is, in this context, quite scarce. Therefore this work focuses on the thermochemical recycling via pyrolysis of different virgin and contaminated waste-derived polyolefin feedstocks (i.e., low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) as main components), along with an investigation of the decomposition mechanisms based on the detailed composition of the pyrolysis oils. Crucial in this work is the detailed chemical analysis of the resulting pyrolysis oils by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) and ICP-OES, among others. Different feedstocks were pyrolyzed at a temperature range of 430-490 °C and at pressures between 0.1 and 2 bar in a continuous pilot-scale pyrolysis unit. At the lowest pressure, the pyrolysis oil yield of the studied polyolefins reached up to 95 wt%. The pyrolysis oil consists of primarily α-olefins (37-42 %) and n-paraffins (32-35 %) for LDPE pyrolysis, while isoolefins (mostly C9 and C15) and diolefins accounted for 84-91 % of the PP-based pyrolysis oils. The post-consumer waste feedstocks led to significantly less pyrolysis oil yields and more char formation compared to their virgin equivalents. It was found that plastic aging, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (3 wt%), and metal contamination were the main causes of char formation during the pyrolysis of polyolefin waste (4.9 wt%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Seifali Abbas-Abadi
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Marvin Kusenberg
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Azd Zayoud
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Martijn Roosen
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Florence Vermeire
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Sepehr Madanikashani
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium; Materials and Process Engineering (IMAP), Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering (iMMC), Université catholique de Louvain - Place Sainte Barbe 2, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Maja Kuzmanović
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium; College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University (Wangjiang campus), No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Behzad Parvizi
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | | | - Steven De Meester
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Kevin M Van Geem
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
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10
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Guo J, Luo C, Wittkowski C, Fehr I, Chong Z, Kitzberger M, Alassali A, Zhao X, Leineweber R, Feng Y, Kuchta K. Screening the Impact of Surfactants and Reaction Conditions on the De-Inkability of Different Printing Ink Systems for Plastic Packaging. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2220. [PMID: 37177366 PMCID: PMC10180929 DOI: 10.3390/polym15092220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major applications (40% in Europe) of plastic is packaging, which is often printed to display required information and to deliver an attractive aesthetic for marketing purposes. However, printing ink can cause contamination in the mechanical recycling process. To mitigate this issue, the use of surfactants in an alkaline washing process, known as de-inking, has been employed to remove printing ink and improve the quality of recyclates. Despite the existence of this technology, there are currently no data linking the de-inking efficiency with typical printing ink compositions. Additionally, it is necessary to investigate the de-inking process under the process parameters of existing recycling plants, including temperature, NaOH concentration, and retention time. This study aims to evaluate the performance of commonly used printing inks with different compositions under various washing scenarios for plastic recycling in conjunction with different de-inking detergents containing surfactants or mixtures of surfactants. The results indicate that the pigments applied to the ink have no significant effect on the de-inking process, except for carbon black (PBk 7). Nitrocellulose (NC) binder systems exhibit high de-inkability (over 95%) under the condition of 55 °C and 1 wt.% NaOH. However, crosslinked binder systems can impede the de-inking effect, whether used as a binder system or as an overprint varnish (OPV). The de-inking process requires heating to 55 °C with 1 wt.% NaOH to achieve a substantial effect. Based on the findings in this work, breaking the Van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and covalent bonds between the printing ink and plastic film is an essential step to achieve the de-inking effect. Further research is needed to understand the interaction between surfactants and printing inks, enabling the development of de-inkable printing inks and high-performance surfactants that allow for de-inking with less energy consumption. The surfactant and NaOH have a synergistic effect in cleaning the printing ink. NaOH provides a negative surface charge for the adsorption of the cationic head of the surfactant and can hydrolyze the covalent bonds at higher concentrations (>2 wt.%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Guo
- Circular Resource Engineering and Management (CREM), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Blohm Str. 15, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cong Luo
- Circular Resource Engineering and Management (CREM), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Blohm Str. 15, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Ingo Fehr
- Siegwerk Druckfarben AG_Co.KGaA, Alfred-Keller-Str. 55, 53721 Siegburg, Germany
| | - Zhikai Chong
- Circular Resource Engineering and Management (CREM), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Blohm Str. 15, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Kitzberger
- Circular Resource Engineering and Management (CREM), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Blohm Str. 15, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ayah Alassali
- Circular Resource Engineering and Management (CREM), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Blohm Str. 15, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xuezhi Zhao
- Polymer Research Institute, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Ralf Leineweber
- Siegwerk Druckfarben AG_Co.KGaA, Alfred-Keller-Str. 55, 53721 Siegburg, Germany
| | - Yujun Feng
- Polymer Research Institute, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Kerstin Kuchta
- Circular Resource Engineering and Management (CREM), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Blohm Str. 15, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
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Roosen M, Van Laere T, Decottignies V, Morel L, Schnitzler JL, Schneider J, Schlummer M, Lase IS, Dumoulin A, De Meester S. Tracing the origin of VOCs in post-consumer plastic film bales. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 324:138281. [PMID: 36868415 PMCID: PMC10041343 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including odors, are still a key issue in plastic recycling, especially in case of flexible packaging. Therefore, this study presents a detailed qualitative and quantitative VOC analysis by applying gas chromatography on 17 categories of flexible plastic packaging that are manually sorted from bales of post-consumer flexible packaging (e.g., beverage shrink wrap, packaging for frozen food, packaging for dairy products, etc.). A total of 203 VOCs are identified on packaging used for food products, while only 142 VOCs are identified on packaging used for non-food products. Especially, more oxygenated compounds (e.g., fatty acids, esters, aldehydes) are identified on food packaging. With more than 65 VOCs, the highest number of VOCs is identified on packaging used for chilled convenience food and ready meals. The total concentration of 21 selected VOCs was also higher on packaging used for food products (totally 9187 μg/kg plastic) compared to packaging used for non-food packaging (totally 3741 μg/kg plastic). Hence, advanced sorting of household plastic packaging waste, e.g., via tracer-based sorting or watermarking, could open the door towards sorting on other properties than polymer type, such as mono- versus multi-material packaging, food versus non-food packaging or even their VOC profile, which might allow for tailoring washing procedures. Potential scenarios showed that sorting the categories with the lowest VOC load, which corresponds to half of the total mass of flexible packaging, could result in a VOC reduction of 56%. By producing less contaminated plastic film fractions and by tailoring washing processes recycled plastics can ultimately be used in a broader market segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Roosen
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Tine Van Laere
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Ludivine Morel
- SUEZ, CIRSEE, Rue du Président Wilson 38, 78230, Le Pecq, France
| | | | - Johannes Schneider
- Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Process Development for Polymer Recycling, Giggenhauser Straße 35, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Martin Schlummer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Process Development for Polymer Recycling, Giggenhauser Straße 35, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Irdanto Saputra Lase
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Ann Dumoulin
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Steven De Meester
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium.
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